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2018 will see the implementation of Temporary Skill Shortage Visas, changes to the Occupation Lists, plans to introduce mandatory provisional visas before permanent residency and changes to Parent and Partner Visas.
The Temporary Work (Skilled) Visa (subclass 457) will be replaced with Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa
From March 2018, the current 457 visa program will be abolished and replaced with the completely new Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa.
The TSS visa will be comprised of a Short-Term stream allowing stays of up to two years, and a Medium-Term stream allowing stays of up to four years.
The Short-Term stream visa is renewable only once. The STSOL occupation list will apply for Short-Term Stream applicants.
The Medium-Stream visa holders may renew their visas onshore and may apply for permanent residence pathway after working for three years in Australia. The MLTSSL occupation list will apply for Medium-Stream visa applicants. This stream is relatively similar to the current 457 visa.
Tighter Regulations for both streams:
Increased Work Experience Requirements
Higher English Language Levels Requirements
Mandatory Labour Market Testing
Set Australian Market Salary Rates
Additional Character, Anti-Discrimination and Training Requirements
More information: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/WorkinginAustralia/Documents/abolition-replacement-457.pdf
Discuss Temporary Skilled Visas on our forum
Changes to Occupation lists in 2018
A number of changes were made to the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) in April 2017 and again in July 2017.
CHECK IF YOUR OCCUPATION IS IN THE MEDIUM AND LONG-TERM STRATEGIC SKILLS LIST (MLTSSL) HERE
Though the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skill List (MLTSSL) is likely to remain the same, the STSOL which is a list of occupations nominated for temporary and short-term visas is likely to see some changes.
Some of the occupations flagged for removal from the Short-term Skilled Occupation List are Accommodation and Hospitality manager, Hair or Beauty Salon Manager, Recruitment Consultant and Building Associate..
University Tutor, Psychotherapist, Property Manager, Real Estate Agent and Real Estate Representative may be added to the list.
It is also likely that Skilled Occupations List will include Airline Pilots in 2018 to address the shortage of pilots in Australia. Following lobbying from the peak body for regional airlines, it has been reported that the Skilled Occupations List will be revised to allow foreign pilots to come to the country on a two-year work visa.
Discuss Skilled Visas on our forum
Plans to introduce mandatory provisional visas before permanent residency in Australia and reducing the number of visas from 99 to 10
The Government undertook public consultation to transform Australia’s visa system in 2017.
The Australian government discussed plans to introduce mandatory provisional visas where migrants may need to spend a certain period of time before they are granted permanent residency and also to reduce the number of visas from 99 to 10 to simplify the process.
The Department received 255 submissions and approximately 184 representatives of industry, academia, community and government participated in roundtables across the country, with an additional 60 industry representatives participating in immigration reform workshops.
In December 2017, the department in a consultation summary said while approximately 55% opposed a provisional period, among those who supported the principle of provisional residence, a provisional period of a minimum of two years was most popular.
88% of the submissions supported visa simplification with suggestions that importance be given to transparency around decision making, reduced processing times and a system that was easier to understand and navigate.
The department though has not set a timeline for its implementation and says, ‘This is a long-term programme of improvement to the way we deliver our services. There is no immediate impact for visa applicants or holders. The first step will be broad consultation with the market on the design and build of a new visa processing platform.’
We are likely to hear more about these plans in 2018.
Discuss Visas, Residency & Citizenship on our forum
Temporary sponsored parent visa
In the 2017-18 federal budget, a new temporary sponsored parent visa was announced - to be available from November 2017. However, the new visa which will allow migrants’ parents to stay in the country for extended periods has been delayed.
The Bill enabling the new visa to come into effect has not yet been approved by the Senate.
Here are the six must know facts about the new long stay visa for parents:
3-year-visa will cost $5000, a 5-year-visa will cost $10,000 and a 10-year-visa will cost $20,000, with the opportunity of a single renewal for another five years at the same price.
15,000 people each year will be granted this long stay parent visa.
Children/Sponsors will be required to pay for their parents' private health insurance. The children will also need to act as financial guarantor on any extra healthcare costs their parents rack up in Australia.
Those on the new visa will not be allowed to work, however, the government hopes they will take on family roles which would see “reduced pressure on childcare facilities.”
Those sponsoring their parents for the new visa need to be Australian citizens or permanent residents, or “eligible New Zealand citizens”.
The visa-holders would not be allowed to reapply beyond the 10 years and would have no pathway to permanent residency.
Discuss Parent Visas on our forum
Partner Visa
Proposed changes to Partner Visa were expected in 2017 but it has been deferred to 2018.
This is because the Migration Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Bill 2016(Cth) (“the Bill”) is still before the Senate and has not been enacted.
If the Bill is enacted, it will establish a sponsorship framework for partner visas, placing more focus on the assessment of sponsors.
In particular:
The sponsorship assessment would be separated from the visa application process
Sponsors would need to be approved before visa applications are made
Legal obligations would be imposed on approved sponsors
If sponsors fail to meet their obligations, sanctions may be imposed
In certain circumstances sponsors can be barred from sponsorship
The new regulations propose partner visa sponsorship applications would need to be lodged under stricter criteria and approved before the overseas partner visa application could be lodged.
The new two-step process is expected to delay the lodgement of the overseas partner application and require the overseas partner to have a valid visa until a visa application for the overseas partner can be lodged.
Discuss Partner Visas on our forum

Hi! This may sound very simple but I’ve tried asking immigration who can’t help me. I wondered if there are any paediatric registrars out there who hav applied or are applying for the 189. I don’t seem to fit one category in the skilled occupation list but could be a number of them. As a paediatric registrar (so not full paediatrician) do I apply under medical practitioner 253999 or specialty physician 253399. Thanks in advance.

I notice that a marketing specialist is one of the occupations on the new skilled occupations list. Does that mean if I get hired by a contractor over there I could get a permanent residence visa? As I am over 45 I am discriminated against and get zero points, yet if I was 29 I would get 100 points for some bizarre reason. I know considerably more about marketing now than I did then, so logically I should get 100 points now and get zero points at 29 years old. But as we all know there is no logic when it comes to Australia and immigration. It's crazy and illogical and makes no sense.
I would score highly on their English test too. I know people who have got into Australia and their grammar and spelling are appalling, yet somehow they are allowed in. Makes no sense.
Anyway I divert, back to my question. I noticed that a Marketing Specialist is on the 2017/2018 list of occupations. I am a marketing specialist! If I get a few Australian clients including one or two clients in the city I want to live in would I get into Australia or would they find a reason to deny me entry?

Hi guys. Can anyone help explain a bit about the new skilled migration visas. I know there is a medium to long term skilled occupation list(up to 4 year visa) and a short term skilled occupation list (up to two year visa). If your occupation is on the short term list, after the 2 years that you are given do you HAVE to leave the country? As I know you can no longer apply for PR after this visa. What other options are there after your 2 years on this visa are up?

Just had a chat with one of the guys at the London Immi office about this March 2018 cut off for people applying for Employer Nominated direct entry (186) on the STSOL element of the combined list.
Q1. My first question was whether or not a nomination and visa application had to be submitted by March 2018 or granted by then.
A1. The answer was that as things stand you would be fine as long as you had submitted both by then. However, the caveat was given that anything could happen between now and March 2018.
Q2. Based on the above, was there anything to prevent you entering on a 457 visa to speed things up, and your employer then sponsoring you for direct entry on a 186 by March 2018?
A2. Subject to the same caveat in A1, no there is nothing to prevent this approach.
Q3. With regard to the March 2018 cut off, is the relevant date 1 March or 31 March?
A3. Don’t know, so assume 1 March and therefore suggest working towards 28 February or sooner to avoid issues.
So, nothing conclusive, but at least gives some indication of time lines in the absence of further changes. Just wanted to share as I start out on the process of trying to obtain an employer nomination for direct entry.
One question from me to the forum, if an employer begins the process of a 457 visa, is there anything to stop a 186 application being submitted and running simultaneously, aside from the additional cost?

Only certain occupations are approved for use under Australia’s permanent and temporary skilled visa programmes. These occupations are listed in a legislative instrument that contains two schedules or ‘occupation lists’ that apply to different visa programmes.
On 19 April 2017, the:
Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) replaced the previous ‘Skilled Occupation List’ (SOL) and is available in Schedule 1 of the relevant legislative instrument
Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) replaced the previous ‘Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List’ (CSOL) and is available in Schedule 2 of the relevant legislative instrument.
The information below explains which lists are relevant for particular visa programmes. Information is also provided about occupations that were removed from the list of eligible skilled occupations on 19 April 2017.
Note: different eligible occupation arrangements are in place for the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (subclass 186).
List of eligible skilled occupations
Only certain occupations are approved for use under Australia’s permanent and temporary skilled visa programmes. These occupations are listed in a legislative instrument that contains two schedules or ‘occupation lists’ that apply to different visa programmes.
On 19 April 2017, the:
Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) replaced the previous ‘Skilled Occupation List’ (SOL) and is available in Schedule 1 of the relevant legislative instrument
Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) replaced the previous ‘Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List’ (CSOL) and is available in Schedule 2 of the relevant legislative instrument.
The information below explains which lists are relevant for particular visa programmes. Information is also provided about occupations that were removed from the list of eligible skilled occupations on 19 April 2017.
Note: different eligible occupation arrangements are in place for the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (subclass 186).
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Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
You must nominate an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)if you are applying for any of the below:
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) (unless nominated by a State or Territory Government)
Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) – Graduate Work Stream.
Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)
There is no separate STSOL list on our website as visa programmes that utilise this list can also access some additional occupations on the MLTSSL. For ease of reference, we have combined both the STSOL and the eligible MLTSSL occupations together. See: Combined list of eligible skilled occupations.
You must nominate an occupation on this Combined list of eligible skilled occupations if you are applying for any of the below:
Employer Nominated Scheme (subclass 186) – Direct Entry Stream
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) - if nominated by a State or Territory Government
Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457)
Training visa (subclass 407)
Removed occupations
On 19 April 2017, 200 occupations were removed entirely from the STSOL.
See:List of the removed occupations
A further 16 occupations on the MLTSSL were restricted to only apply to the following visa programmes:
Skilled – Independent (subclass 189)
Temporary Graduate (subclass 485)
Skilled-Regional(Provisional) (subclass 489), if the applicant is not nominated by a State or Territory government agency
See: Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
These changes will only apply to new applications lodged on, or after, 19 April 2017 for:
Employer Nominated Scheme (subclass 186) – Direct Entry Stream
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) - if nominated by a State or Territory Government
Training visa (subclass 407)
However, for the subclass 457 programme for any of these removed occupations on, or after, 19 April 2017:
no visa applications can be granted
no nomination applications can be approved.
Source: DIBP